Wraparound thimble



Sept. 29, 1970 AK R LEE 3,531,029

WRAPAROUND THIMBLE Filed May 16, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,Ll/s A TramwayUnited States Patent O 3,531,029 WRAPAROUND THIMBLE Kenneth P. Lee, 1517San Ardo St., San Jose, Calif. 95125 Filed May 16, 1969, Ser. No.832,546 Int. Cl. A41h 31/00 U.S. Cl. 223-101 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An open sided truncated cone shaped thimble to fit varioussized thimble fingers and with a wider gap adjacent its closed end forrelieving pressure against the fingernail of the finger wearing thethimble and an internal slip-proof surface to maintain the thimble onthe finger as well as square seat dimple-like recess on its exteriorsurfaces for engaging the eye end of a needle during sewing.

BACKGROUND This invention relates to a thimble, a protective caplikecover worn on ones finger for pushing a needle into fabric duringsewing.

Thimbles have been known and used for sewing from time immemorial. Themost primitive people using fishbones as needles devised end bones withmarrow removed as a protective cover for a finger and pusher for suchneedles. In the days of sailing ships seamen used a bone end mounted onleather laced about one hand as a palm for pushing a needle through saidcloth and canvas. For many generations seamstresses have been usingmetal thimbles of various sizes to fit their fingers duringhandstitching. Such conventional metal thimbles are usually a heavymetal caplike cover of frusto-conical shape closed at its smaller endand tapered such as to have press fit with the end of a finger.

Such conventional metal thimbles having been accepted as the ultimate,no improvements have been known to have been attempted or made despitethe fact that problems relating thereto do exist.

Primarily it has been found that the inner surface of such conventionalcone-like thimbles being smooth, require a definite pressure fit of thefinger into the tapered cap in order to keep the thimble from fallingoff the finger. Such tight fit can and does cut down circulation ofblood through the tiny vessels in the finger thus compressed. Longusage, as by a seamstress through many hours per day can develop unduephysical disorders in the thimble finger, the tip of a finger being oneof the most sensitive of the human extremities.

From a survey of people employed in the sewing art it has been learnedthat thimble sizes pose a problem. Too small a cone shape causes thethimble'to extend too far beyond the tip of ones finger and to get inthe way while sewing. Too large a cone shape causes the tip of onesfinger to contact the closed end of the thimble which can cause sorenessand even callouses to develop. Even the middle ground in which onesfinger fits snugly into the tapered thimble which being absolutelyround, causes undue pressure at the sides of the fingernail. This canand dotes cause corns to develop in the skin tissue pinched against thesides of the fingernail. It has also been known to push the cuticle backfrom the fingernail and to cause uncomfortable soreness to develop inthis region.

Other problems such as the incorrect disposition of the open rim of athimble relative to the first joint or bend of ones thimble finger candevelop soreness at such knuckle joint and the pad ahead or behind, asthe case may be.

Moreover, the prior known conventional metal thim- 3,53L29 PatentedSept. 29, i970 ice bles are provided with a plurality of dimple-likesockets on their exterior walls serving as a seat for the eye end of aneedle by which to apply non-slip pressure to the needle. These socketsor seats are usually round or dome-like forming a ball seat which if notproperly disposed relativeI to the angle of the needle can causeslip-out and injury to an adjacent finger if it is pierced by the eyeend of the needle.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION With the foregoing problems in mind it is anobject of the present invention to provide a thimble which readilyadjusts to the size, diameter and/or taper of the: thimble finger uponwhich it is to be worn. In this regard it is an object to provide athimble open lengthwise along one side facilitating a wrap aroundstructure adapted to be formed to the size of various thimble fingers.

It is another object to provide a thimble having its embodiment in asingle blank of metal formed into an open sided frusto-conical shape andhaving an integral tip for closing the small end of such truncatedconical shape.

It is another object to provide in such an open sided wrap aroundtruncated cone shaped thimble, a thread guard feature between theintegral tip and sides adjacent the lengthwise opening.

It is yet another object to provide a knurled outer surface on thethimble while the metal thereof is yet a flat sheet or blank of metal toprovide needle engaging recesses therein. This object furthercontemplates that these recesses be in the form of relatively squaredimplelike recesses whereby the eye end of a needle seats securely in abox-like corner. This feature further includes the objects of providingknob-like detents on the interior face of the thimble for anti-frictioncontact with a thimble finger upon which thimble is worn.

It is still further an object to provide the open end of the foregoingthimble with an indentation disposed in a region diametrically oppositethe open side of the thimble and in the zone of the joint or bendbetween the end of the thimble finger and the adjacent segment of suchdigit.

It is still another object to provide a wide, flared open zone in thelengthwise open side and adjacent the cloture tip of the thimble torelieve excessive pressure against the fingernail and esh adjacent thesame on the thimble finger.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading of the following description and claimsin the light of the accompanying two sheets of drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a layout of a blank prior to formation thereof into thethimble of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view looking into the open end of the thimbleand illustrating the forming of the thimble from the fiat blank of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through FIG. 2 as seen from the medialline 3 3 therein and depicting the formation of the finger tip closureat the end of the thimble;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the thimble of FIGS. 2 and 3 as seen fromthe closed end thereof and at slightly larger scale with respect toFIGS. l, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the thimble of FIGS. 2 and 3 as seenfrom the open end thereof and at larger scale with respect thereto;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of the finger tip or closed end of thethimble;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cut away illustration and side view of a portionof the thimble at a scale approximating that of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8 through 14 are pictorial illustrations delineating the thimbleof the present invention in use, FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the hands of aseamstress employing the thimble for sewing on cloth and FIGS. 10through 14 showing the thimble used on the thimble finger of a carpetlayer sewing heavier fabric.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a blank 10 offiat metal is shown as the initial and basic structure resulting in thethimble of the present invention which is generally designated 25 in theremaining views of the drawing.

The blank 10 comprises a fiat fan shaped sheet of metal of suitablestiffness stamped out by a fan shaped die. While in a fiat state theblank 10 is impressed with knurling 11 on one side 12 such as to resultin the formation of a comparable number of knobs 13 on the opposite side14 of the blank. The fan shaped sheet of metal more specificallycomprises a main portion B having one larger arcuate edge 15 struck on amajor radius and a smaller arcuate edge 16 struck in part on a minorradius having its center inset from center of the major radius along amedial line M. The medial line M is shown extended through the blank andbisecting the angle between diverging side edges 17 and 18 of the blank10. The larger arcuate edge is of a chordal width to provide a partialcircular cover for a human finger. The side edges 17 and 18 diverge fromthe chordal width of the arcuate edge 15 to the center of the majorradius upon which the latter is struck. The blank 10 further includes aclosure 20 for the tip end of the thimble 25. The tip end closure isformed by the provision of an integral oval shaped appendage 19. Thisappendage 19 is contiguous to the smaller arcuate edge 16 of the mainportion B of the blank 10. The long diameter a of the oval shapedappendage 19 lies transverse or normal to the medial line M while theshorter diameter thereof is congruent to such medial line M.

In FIG. l the blank 10, shown in solid lines, is for the femininefingers of a seamstress whereas the dotted line outline of a largerblank 10 is for the manly fingers of a carpet layer, sailmaker, canvasor awning maker. In either case the general configuration of the blankis the same except for proportional variations. The diverging side edges17 and 18 extend straight from the larger edge 15 to an opposite end Efor a length comparable to the length of the first joint of a humanfinger. From the end E of the diverging edge 17 and 18 the blank isconfigurated to provide diagonal ends 21 and 22. These diagonal endsextend at an angle from the end E to the far side F of the oval shapedappendage 19 opposite it conr tiguity with the main portion B of theblank. At the point of intersection of each of the diagonal ends 21 and22 with the smaller arcuate edge 16 of the portion B a cove formation 23and 24 terminates in a tip at the arcuate edge 16. This becomes a threadguard, later to be explained.

To complete the disclosure of the blank 10 the outer larger arcuate edge15 has an indented edge portion I merging with the latter by suitablecurved ends. The indented edge I lies parallel to the edge 15 andtraverses the medial line M to provide clearance for the pad of thethimble finger where its first joint engages the outer edge 15 as willlater become apparent. In addition thereto the corner between each sideedge 17 and 18 and the outer arcuate edge 15 is rounded to leave smoothsnag proof corners on the blank 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 the blank is shown in the form of thethimble 25. In FIG. 2, looking into the open end of the thimble, themain portion B is shown with its sides bowed round from a flat sheetinto a frustoconical shape. In FIG. 3 the appendage 19 is shown bent upat an abrupt angle from the portion B where it has contiguous connectionto the main body B to provide the closure 2@ for the tip end of thethimble. The thimble 25 thus formed and as illustrated in perspective inFIGS.

4 and 5 comprises a wrap around cap or cover for ones thimble fingersuch as to leave a gap or open space 26 between the side edges 17 and 18of the main body B. The smaller arcuate edges 16 of the main body areengaged by the oval shaped tip end 20 to cover the same and close thefrusto-conical portion into the form of a truncated cone.

As shown in FIGS. 8 through 14 the thimble 25 is usually worn on thesecond finger of the right hand with the medial line portion over thepad of such finger and the open space 26 on the back side thereof. Bythis arrangement the side edges 17 and 18 can be spread apart to suitchubbier or heavier fingers. Vice-versa by forcing the edges 17 and 18closer together to narrow the gap 26 the thimble fits a narrower orslimmer fingers.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 7 and 14 it Will be noted that the indented edge Iis disposed adjacent the first joint of the thimble finger such as toeliminate any obstruction to circulation or hinge action of the finger.It should also be noted that the knobs 13 on the inner surface 14 of thethimble 25 serve to overcome slippage and to thereby maintain thethimble on the thimble finger with a pressure less than would normallybe required by the tapered fit of a conventional thimble.

The various exterior surfaces .12 of the thimble 25 are knurled by anadequate number of the dimple-like recesses 27 distributed thereover forseating the eye end of a needle N at any convenient and natural angle itmight assume relative to the thimble on the thimble finger. AS seen inFIGS. 4, 6 and 8 the oval shaped closure tip 20 also has a sufficientnumber of such dimple-like recesses 27 evenly distributed on its outersurface 12 for engaging the eye end of a needle N.

In connection with the foregoing and with particular reference to FIGS.6 and 7, the dimple-like recesses 27 are impressed into the metal as asquare seat which provides a good corner type engagement for the eye endof a needle. By this form of square seat needles are less likelyl toslip out of the seat as is the case with dome like pits usually formedon conventional thimbles. Moreover, the square seat dimples areimpressed deep enough into the surface 12 of the metal to provide anequal number of evenly distributed knobs 13 on the inner face 14 of thethimble 25 to provide a non-slip fit for the thimble finger.

An anti-snag feature of the present invention is provided by threadguards resulting from the coved formations 23 and 24 at the ends of thediagonal edges 21 and 22. By these cove formations 23 and 24 the threadis kept from becoming bound or snagged between the edges 16 and thecover tip 20 during sewing.

The diagonally extending edges 21 and 22 serve to provide a Wider gap 26adjacent to the tip 20 yielding more freedom for the fingernail of thethimble finger and to relieve the pressure against the fiesh at thesides of the fingernail in that Zone of the thimble.

In general the thimble 25 of the present invention is less tiring to thewearer due to the minimum amount of annular pressure as would otherwiseoccur in a tapered fit as in a conventional thimble. 4By thisarrangement blood circulation in the terminal joint of the finger ismore 'free and soreness and development of callouses and cornsminimized.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 a seamstress handstitching cloth has absolutefreedom of movement of the thimble finger yet positive needle engagementat various angles of contact with a needle N.

In the sewing of coarser or heavier material such as carpeting thethimble 25 of the present invention is equally efficient in use. This isbest illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 14 in which the thimble 25 is shownyworn to engage the eye end of a needle during entry of the needle intothe carpeting (FIG. 10); while pushing the needle into the under layerof the carpeting (FIG. 11); or through both layers of carpeting (FIG.l2) and with the thumb and first finger gripping the extended pointedend of the needle (FIG. 13) for pulling the needle through the heavycarpeting material. FIG. 14 illustrates a side thrust of the thimble 25against the eye end of a needle N to force the latter practically allthe way through the heavier carpet material.

Having thus described my new thimble in specific detail it will 'beapreciated that the same may be modified, altered and/ or varied withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of my invention therein as defined inthe following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A wraparound thimble adapted to be worn on the finger tip of a humanhand for pushing a needle during stitching therewith, said thimblecomprising an opensided truncated cone formed from a flat sheet metalblank having:

(l) a first arcuate edge struck on a major radius along an axial medialline extended through said blank and having a chordal width to partiallycircumscribe a human finger at the open end of said thimble;

(2) a second arcuate edge smaller than said first arcuate edge spacedfrom said first arcuate edge struck on a minor radius having its centerinset along said medial line from the center of said major radius toform the small end of said truncated cone;

(3) an oval shaped appendage integral to said smaller arcuate edge andhaving its minor axis congruent to said medial line and having its majoraxis transverse to said.rnedial line for providing a finger tip closurefor the small end of said truncated cone;

(4) side edges on said blank extending from the ends of said firstarcuate edge toward the center of the major radius thereof to endsspaced short of said second arcuate edge, said side edges disposedparallel to each other forming a gap opposite the medial line of saidopen sided truncated cone; and

(5) said blank ywith its corners of intersection of said side edges withsaid second arcuate edge having generally diagonal ends extending fromthe ends of said side edges toward the medial line at that side of saidappendage which is opposite its integral contiguity with said secondarcuate edge to provide a wider gap adjacent the finger tip closure forrelieving pressure against the fingernail of a human finger upon whichsaid thimble is Worn.

2. The thimble in accordance with that of claim 1 in which the generallydiagonal ends of said side edges have their terminal ends coved adjacentsaid second arcuate edge to provide a thread guard where the latterengages said finger tip closure.

3. The thimble in accordance with that of claim 2 in which said thimblehas a plurality of dimple-like square seated recesses on its outersurfaces.

4. The thimble in accordance with that of claim 3 in which said thimblehas a plurality of knobs projecting from the inner face thereof.

5. The thimble in accordance with that of claim 4 in which said knobsare opposite the respective dimple-like recesses.

6. The thimble in accordance with that of claim 5 in which said firstarcuate edge at the open end of said thimble has an indented edgeportion merging with the latter and traversing the medial line parallelto said first arcuate edge to provide clearance for the pad of a thimblefinger where its first joint engages said edge at the open end of thethimble.

7. The thimble in accordance with that of claim 2 in which said firstarcuate edge at the open end of said thirnble has an indented edgeportion merging with the latter and traversing the medial line parallelto said first arcuate edge to provide clearance for the pad of a thimblefinger where its first joint engages said edge at the open end of thethimble.

8. A wraparound thimble adapted to be worn on the finger tip of a humanhand for pushing a needle during stitching therewith, said thim'blecomprising an open sided truncated cone formed from a flat sheet metalblank having:

(1) a first arcuate edge struck on a major radius along an axial medialline extended through said blank and having a chordal Width to partiallycircumscribe a human finger at the open end of said thimble;

(2) a second arcuate edge smaller than said first arcuate edge spacedfrom said first arcuate edge struck on a minor radius having its centerinset along said medial line from the center of said major radius toform the small end of said truncated cone; and

(3) side edges on said blank extending from the ends of said firstarcuate edge toward the center of the major radius thereof toward saidsecond arcuate edge disposed parallel to each other forming a gapopposite the medial line of said open sided truncated cone; said firstarcuate edge has an indented edge portion merging ywith the latter andtraversing the medial line parallel to said first arcuate edge toprovide clear ance for a pad of a thimble finger where it is adapted toengage said edge at the larger end of the truncated cone.

9. The thimble in accordance 'with that of claim 8 in which said thimblehas a plurality of dimple-like square seated receses on its outersurface.

10. The thimble in accordance with that of claim 9 in which said thimblehas `a plurality of knobs projecting from the inner face thereofopposite the respective dimplelike recesses.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,473,953 11/1923 lDart 223-101XR 2,435,877 2/ 1948 Doucet 223-101 XR 2,609,978 9/ 1952 Harden s223-101 FOREIGN PATENTS 20,188 11/ 1892 England.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner G. H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner

